Ambulance service and complications from growth remain at the top of the list, says Gibbons, who has served five terms (one was for two years) and is seeking a sixth term on the council.

The Republican incumbent, a Richmond area dairy farmer, is being challenged in the North District by Democrat Jeremy Threlfall, a professional singer, composer and recording-studio owner who also lives on a Richmond farm.

Gibbons says the council may finally have found a solution to the long-simmering problems with ambulance service.

The council has agreed to raise property taxes slightly to create a new ambulance district in which the county and Logan will hold the license. In the past, Logan ran the system, and the county had to kick in money to cover deficits but had little say in how it operated, Gibbons says.

However, grappling with land planning and open-space preservation are thornier issues, he says.

Gibbons opposed sending an open-space initiative - as proposed by a county advisory panel - to voters because property taxpayers already have been hit up for too much money, Gibbons says. The proposal died in a 5-2 vote earlier this year.

But the growing county's subdivision ordinance needs to be updated and the county must decide how to balance property rights with other demands, he says.

"We need to look rather seriously about how we're going to approach the preservation of open space and agriculture."

Gibbons hopes the county can balance the budget without boosting taxes for more than the new emergency medical system. "I hope we won't need to make cuts," he says.

Threlfall says one of his biggest thrusts would be to get residents more interested and involved in county decisions. He would try to start a Youth County Council and work to update the county's Web site with meeting agendas and more information.

He also would work to keep unnecessary regulations off the backs of small businesses. "They are basically the backbone of this community."

Threlfall says he would have voted to let residents have a say on the open-space initiative.

"I'm all for preserving open land as long as you don't rip it away from someone," he says.

"What I'm thinking of bringing to the table is looking at everything from a constitutional point of view," Threlfall says. "Is it taking away someone's rights? Is it enclosing our rights, putting a box around them?"

Logan District 2: Logan Republican Kathy Robison, a one-term council member, is being challenged by Angie Baker, an Idaho native whose young family has settled in Logan.

Robison says some of the biggest challenges facing the next council will be growth related: air quality, water availability, gravel pits, subdivision zoning and open space.

She favors devising a voluntary plan for residents to change behaviors so pollution is less severe during winter inversions. Otherwise, the Environmental Protection Agency will act to enforce clean air laws.

"We're going to have to do something as our growth continues," Robison says. "Our valley just isn't made geographically to be an urban area."

The county cannot put a moratorium on all building, but must consider where the water will come from. "Water will be a big defining factor as to how much growth will happen in Cache Valley," she says.

Robison was one of the two council members who voted to send the open space initiative to voters, but since that failed, she advocates other approaches. "We need to see if there are other things that could work."

The incumbent predicts an austere budget in the coming year and no more tax hikes other than that for ambulance services.

Her challenger says she is running to give residents a choice.

Baker would like to introduce a dark-sky ordinance to limit light pollution in Cache County. "Our sky is so beautiful," she says.

Educating residents about how they can reduce air pollution and conserve water and electricity would be important to Baker. She also would promote bike trails.

She promises to hold a district meeting every three months with constituents so she could learn their needs and they could learn about county issues.

She would have voted to put the open-space initiative on the ballot, Baker says.

During her volunteer and paid time working with a domestic-violence shelter, Baker has ridden several times with police officers and sheriff's deputies.

"One of the things I'd love to see happen is to have more sheriff's deputies hired. I'd like to see some more on the roads."

Says Baker: "We can't enjoy green space if we're not safe."

kmoulton@sltrib.com

North District candidates

Darrel Gibbons, 60, Republican.

* Education: Bachelor's in education from Utah State University and master's in recreation education from Brigham Young University.

* Work experience: Taught 14 years in the LDS Church's Education System; dairy farmer for 23 years.

* Political experience: County Council member for 18 years.

* Fun fact: Likes to fish and spend time with his grandkids.

Jeremy Threlfall, 29, Democrat.

* Education: Bachelor's in vocal performance from Utah State University.

* Work experience: Taught high school music; professional singer, composer; runs children's singing and dancing groups; owns recording studio.

* Political experience: Democratic chairman of precinct; delegate to state convention.

* Fun fact: Has recorded six CDs and wrote his own campaign song.

Logan District 2 candidates

Kathy Robison, 47, Republican.

* Education: Associate degree from Ricks College; bachelor's in advertising design and commercial arts from Utah State University.

* Work experience: Has held jobs in layout for Logan newspaper, for advertising and printing company; freelancing design work; substitute teaching; homemaker.

* Political experience: County Council, one term; neighborhood council chairwoman; GOP delegate to county convention.

* Fun fact: Has played French horn with the Cache Community Band for more than 20 years.

Angie Baker, 29, Democrat.

* Education: On hold while husband pursues master's degree.

* Work experience: Administrative assistant at Community Abuse Prevention Services Agency (CAPSA); volunteers for various groups.

* Political experience: Chairwoman of Guadalupe County Democrats in Texas; current secretary of Cache Democrats; chairwoman of Young Democrats of Cache County.

* Fun fact: Loves to volunteer, which led to the job she now holds.